Dr. Ingela Thuné-Boyle
Health Psychologist
Online Therapy

Inner child wounds refer to the emotional and physiological imprints left by experiences of unmet needs, not being consistently seen or responded to, or chronic stress in early life. These experiences may include neglect, emotional unavailability, inconsistent caregiving, or environments in which a child had to adapt quickly to survive. Often, the most impactful wounds are not linked to overt abuse but to what was missing; reliable comfort, emotional safety, or permission to

I saw a post by a therapist on Threads recently about chronic pain that gave me real cause for concern. It had over 2.2k likes. In it, she argued that CBT for pain is “ridiculous,” that people with chronic pain simply need medical treatment, and that validation is what matters most. I found this framing extraordinary and troubling. Why? Because chronic pain is complex. Yes, validation is always necessary. Anyone living with persistent pain deserves to be believed, respected,

Many people seek therapy for health-related concerns without realizing that their symptoms may be rooted in much earlier relational experiences. They arrive focused on chronic pain, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, anxiety around health, or a sense that their body has let them down. What they often don’t come with is a story of trauma, at least not one they recognize as such. Instead, they describe childhoods that were fine, not that bad, or nothing compared to what others wen

Living with chronic pain often means carrying more than physical discomfort. Alongside the persistent sensations in the body, many people also carry an invisible burden: self-blame. Thoughts such as “If I had taken better care of myself,” “If I were stronger,” or “I should be coping better than this” can quietly take root, turning pain into a moral failing rather than a human experience. Over time, this internalized blame can become as exhausting and harmful as the pain itsel

Perfectionism is often praised as a strength. It is associated with high standards, diligence, and responsibility, yet for many people living with chronic pain, perfectionism is not simply a personality trait; it is a nervous system strategy shaped by lived experience. Over time, this strategy can quietly contribute to the persistence and intensification of pain.

Setting boundaries is one of the most important acts of self-care, yet for many people it comes with an uncomfortable emotional cost: guilt. This can be especially true for those living with chronic illness, where boundaries are not just preferences but often necessities to manage limited energy, pain, or fluctuating health. Saying no to social invitations, declining work responsibilities, or asking for accommodations can trigger guilt alongside fears of being a burden, disap

For individuals who have spent their lives over-accommodating, appeasing, and diminishing themselves to maintain peace, establishing boundaries may seem unnatural or even unsafe. This behaviour, known as fawning, is often a trauma response that develops in environments where one's safety relies on pleasing others or avoiding conflict. Over time, this survival strategy becomes ingrained: agreeing when we want to refuse, enduring discomfort to prevent disappointing others,

Relational trauma, which refers to harm occurring within human relationships, significantly impacts how people view safety, trust, and connection. Experiences like neglect, emotional abuse, betrayal, or chronic misattunement (where someone consistently fails to accurately perceive, understand, and respond to another person's emotional state) do not just harm an individual in isolation; they influence the nervous system and the internal expectations one brings into future rela

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is most often associated with trauma that is chronic, repeated, and rooted in relationships. Unlike single-incident trauma (such as a one-off accident or event) CPTSD develops when a person grows up or lives for long periods in environments that feel unsafe, unpredictable, or emotionally overwhelming.

There is a particular kind of suffering that arises not only from physical symptoms, but from the invalidation of those symptoms. Many people living with chronic illness or undiagnosed conditions find themselves in a distressing limbo: feeling profoundly unwell while repeatedly being told by doctors that they are fine because their test results fall within normal ranges. This experience of being caught between undeniable symptoms and an absence of medical validation can be de

Research in psychology, neuroscience, and medicine has increasingly confirmed what many survivors have felt for a long time: the wounds of childhood do not simply disappear over time. Childhood trauma, whether through abuse, neglect, household instability, or chronic emotional stress, can leave lasting marks not only on the mind but also on the body. These effects are not imagined; they operate through clear biological and behavioural pathways

Human beings are wired for connection. From the earliest moments of life, our nervous systems develop within the context of relationships, and this interdependence continues throughout our lifespan. One of the most profound ways we influence one another is through co-regulation; the process by which two or more people attune to each other’s internal states, providing a stabilizing influence on emotional, mental, and even physical functioning.

Health psychology is a vital and evolving field that explores how psychological, behavioural, and social factors influence physical health and illness. While traditionally associated with chronic illness, pain management, and health behavior change, health psychology also plays a critical role in addressing trauma and grief. These profoundly human experiences, which are often undetectable by medical tests, significantly impact both mental health and physical well-being.

Medical gaslighting is a term used to describe situations in which healthcare providers dismiss, minimize, or misattribute a patient’s symptoms, concerns, or lived experiences, often suggesting that the problem is psychological or not real. This can involve telling patients their symptoms are “all in their head,” exaggerating, or caused by stress, despite clear distress or evidence to the contrary.

Experiencing a major bereavement is among the most painful and destabilizing events a person can face. When that loss is traumatic, unexpected, violent, or profoundly significant, it can leave deep psychological scars. For someone already living with a chronic illness, the impact of traumatic grief is compounded, creating a complex intersection of physical vulnerability and emotional devastation. Navigating this dual burden can feel like trying to heal two wounds at once

Grief is a natural reaction to loss, but it doesn’t follow the same path for everyone. When a death is sudden, violent, or deeply...

'Medical trauma' refers to a patient's psychological and physiological response to a negative or traumatic experience in a medical...

Medical gaslighting is a subtle yet deeply damaging phenomenon in healthcare, where a patient's symptoms or concerns are dismissed, minimized, or attributed to psychological causes without appropriate investigation. Often rooted in implicit bias, power imbalances, or systemic issues within the medical system, this behavior can lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and a loss of trust in healthcare providers.

The mind-body connection refers to the link between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and our physical health. This relationship is bi

The connection between narcissistic abuse, trauma, and chronic illness conditions, underscores the profound impact of emotional suffering on